Info sessions planned on bug that carries citrus disease

A pest that can spread a disease that kills citrus trees was recently discovered in East County, according to Ted Batkin, president of the California Citrus Research Board.

The Asian citrus psyllid often spreads Huanglongbing, a disease that has no cure and causes citrus trees to produce hard, bitter fruit and eventually die. It is not toxic to humans. The bug was recently discovered in Lakeside, Crest and El Cajon. The disease was discovered in March in trees in Los Angeles and also in Mexico.

The psyllid spreads the disease from tree to tree as it feeds, a report from the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program said.

Fruit quarantines are in effect in Imperial, San Diego, Orange, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties to protect against the spread of the pest.

East County residents who want more information about the pest and the citrus disease can attend one of two free open houses hosted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

The first meeting is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Ronald Reagan Community Center at 195 E. Douglas Ave., in El Cajon. The second will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Alpine Community Center at 1830 Alpine Blvd.

“The Asian citrus psyllid has been known to spread this time of year, as citrus trees often experience new growth, or ‘flushing,’ ” Batkin wrote, noting that trapping and treatment for the pest is occurring in neighborhoods throughout California.

For more information, visit CaliforniaCitrusThreat.org or call the California Department of Food and Agriculture hotline at (800) 491-1899.